Tongue Jack just Spins

gpearson26 · 03-14-2021, 04:21 PM

My Tongue jack on a 2019 26BH just spins and wont go down and it's stuck on the truck. Is this something that can be repaired?

Marcm157 · 03-14-2021, 04:31 PM

Depending on the brand there may be a shear pin that broke. So what you are saying is you hear the motor turning but the jack leg is not retracting?

gpearson26 · 03-14-2021, 04:32 PM

yes, it is definitely running and the leg spins, but it doesnt seem to be catching on whatever makes it go up and down inside.

**JFlightRisk** · 03-14-2021, 04:36 PM

I've never seen one where the leg spins. I should only move up or down. What brand of jack do you have?

Marcm157 · 03-14-2021, 04:38 PM

Are you able to open the motor case? If the whole leg is spinning then you will have to gain access to the motor to see where to go from here.

gpearson26 · 03-14-2021, 04:41 PM

Yes I'll have to open it up but I wont know what i'm looking at so wondering if I just need to have someone come take a look or have it replaced.

Marcm157 · 03-14-2021, 04:44 PM

Open it up and look for a broken bolt. I agree with JFlight I've never seen the leg spin. If you can post some pictures once you open the case we will try and help guide you.

Just out of curiosity if you hold the leg (carefully) can you stop it from spinning?

gpearson26 · 03-14-2021, 04:46 PM

I tried holding onto it or pushing my foot against it to stop it from spinning but no go.

**JFlightRisk** · 03-14-2021, 04:46 PM

Being extremely careful, what happens if you hold the leg to keep it from spinning, and hit the "extend" switch? Be sure to wear gloves.

Marcm157 · 03-14-2021, 04:48 PM

Can you try striking the foot with a hammer or heavy object in a downward motion? I'm wondering if it didn't raise too far and is jammed? Usually a fuse would blow but maybe it might just be jammed high...

**JFlightRisk** · 03-14-2021, 04:56 PM

From a distance, it sounds like you need a new jack. Our last one broke the motor shaft just after clearing the ball when we got home. It did make a bad noise when it went.

Woodworker · 03-15-2021, 05:54 AM

I had that once. I retracted it too much. We used a board and applied pressure to the bottom of the foot an it came right down

Marcm157 · 03-15-2021, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodworker

I had that once. I retracted it too much. We used a board and applied pressure to the bottom of the foot an it came right down

Woodworker - Was the entire leg of your jack spinning? I've never seen one do that before. I did suggest downward force to the OP to see if it may clear up the problem but he hasn't replied.

I have a good understanding of how the jack works and can't really wrap my head around how the entire leg can spin...

gpearson26 · 03-15-2021, 08:33 AM

I'll try this. Repairman says the screw broke but he hasnt actually looked at it. I tried holding it with my hand or foot but no good.

craigav · 03-15-2021, 08:40 AM

I suspect you retracted it too far, you need to use a hammer (if it has a rectangular foot) and tap the shaft in the opposite direction you see it turning then it should start working again. There is a slot in the shaft that is supposed to keep it from turning that you may need to line back up.

gpearson26 · 03-15-2021, 08:45 AM

it's a round foot FIC-3500-2 RecPro. Tried pushing down on it with a 2x4 and banged on it a couple times. No go.

craigav · 03-15-2021, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpearson26

it's a round foot FIC-3500-2 RecPro. Tried pushing down on it with a 2x4 and banged on it a couple times. No go.

Does it have holes cut in the bottom for a wheel (or foot)? If so, remove the foot and insert a shaft or tool in the holes and tap the shaft in the opposite direction than what it was spinning. ~CA

craigav · 03-15-2021, 09:07 AM

QQ, did the problem occur after the jack was retracted all the way, or is the jack not all the way up?

craigav · 03-15-2021, 09:28 AM

Here is some more information of likely what happened and how to fix it. Take a look at this generic picture that represents what is inside the jack. There is a motor with a long bolt (shaft) that the jack's movable extension pipe attaches to, the extension pipe has a nut attached to the top of the shaft (similar to the piece in the middle of the bolt in the image). Normally the nut (and its attached shaft) rides up and down the bolt, however if you retract too far then the nut gets wedged up against the top of the bolt (which is why to never retract all the way), (this can also happen if rust or debris gets into the jack).

What you have to do is unscrew the nut from the bolt (so to speak) and the easiest ways to do that is to turn the extension piece in the direction that unscrews it from the bolt (opposite direction than it is spinning).

I would find a long screwdriver or piece of rebar or something similar and insert it into the holes where the foot attaches, or even a pipe wrench, and turn in the opposite direction as the goal is to back off the nut from the bolt section.

Important thought to add, you need to turn the shaft the opposite way it is spinning when extending, as it should spin either direction depending upon if you push the extend or retract switch. In other words, you need to turn the shaft (that extends and retracts) counter clockwise to the bolt (which is clockwise when looking down from above). ~CA

Woodworker · 03-15-2021, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcm157

Woodworker - Was the entire leg of your jack spinning? I've never seen one do that before. I did suggest downward force to the OP to see if it may clear up the problem but he hasn't replied.

I have a good understanding of how the jack works and can't really wrap my head around how the entire leg can spin...

If the foot was spinning the whole shaft had to be spinning. An it was downward force with a piece of wood not upward. I already sucked it up to far which caused it

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